Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has extended his full support to new Motor Vehicles Act and clarified that states have the authority to take a decision on the penalty rates.

There have been protests in several parts of the country against the new Motor Vehicles Act&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspIANS

Key Highlights

An order directed Bihar cops to wear a helmet while riding two-wheelers and the seat belt while driving four-wheelers

The penalty will be given by the Bihar cop out of his own pocket and not the department

The new provisions of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 were issued in August and it was implemented from September 1

Patna: The Bihar cops will now have to pay double the penalty levied on civilians as per the new Motor Vehicles Act on breaching traffic rules.

An order issued by police transport headquarters on September 9 directed the cops to wear a helmet while riding two-wheelers and the seat belt while driving four-wheelers.

"If any police personnel is found driving a two-wheeler without a helmet or driving a car without a seat belt then as per directions, they will be penalised double the fine charged on civilians," said the order.

The order further made it clear that the penalty will be paid for by the cop from his own pocket and not by the department.

In another order, the Bihar government directed all district transport officials to make sure that there is a rise in the number of people wearing helmets on the roads, which presently stands at 38 per cent.

"Special action must be taken this week for helmet inspection on the roads to increase the number of two-wheeler riders wearing helmets. Police officers and personnel shall be involved in this exercise," the order read.

The new provisions of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 were issued in August and it was implemented from September 1.

There have been protests in several parts of the country, including in BJP-ruled states, against the new Motor Vehicles Act, which has led to an increase in fines for traffic violations.

Facing flak over the amended MV Act, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated his support for the new law but also said that states have the authority to take a decision on the fine rates.

"It is not about politics or BJP or Congress. If states want to accept the logic behind the amendments, they will implement it. For me, it is not politics," the minister said.

The Maharashtra government recently sent a letter to Gadkari, citing dissent in public as a reason on why it wants the Centre to re-examine the new law.

"The Maharashtra transport minister was part of the committee formed to finalise the bill. As far as my discussion with (Devendra) Fadnavis ji goes, no one told me about it (their disapproval with the bill)," Gadkari said.

The minister further alleged that hefty penalties are not aimed at earning revenue but to ensure that lives are not lost.

"State governments can decide on fines. It is not only the responsibility of the central government to save lives, but also of the state government. They will take it in the right spirit," he said.

Bihar: Police personnel to pay twice the fine amount for traffic violationsDescription:Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has extended his full support to new Motor Vehicles Act and clarified that states have the authority to take a decision on the penalty rates. Kamna Arora